Key ConceptsTara Wilton

Codes & Conventions

Front Cover• Masthead – usually the most eye catching convention on the page to capture the readers attention and emphasise

the magazine’s name.• Full bleed image – normally the artist/band that is the main feature of that particular issue.• Sell lines – provide alternative options for readers if they are not too interested in the main feature.• Barcode – necessary for purchasing the magazine • Price – displays to the reader how much the magazine is which also helps to see if they are getting their moneys

worth. • Website address – an online alternative is important in this day and age as technology is an essential part of peoples

lives. Contents Page• Title – tells the reader where they are in the magazine• Features – displays what is on offer in the issue of the magazine• Images – multi modal to make the page exciting and appealing • Reviews – gives the reader an insight into what is and isn’t recommended • Editor’s note – welcomes the reader to the magazine and makes them feel like they have developed a personal

relationship with the magazine• Page numbers – allows the reader to flick to what they are most interested in

Double Page Spread• Title – tells the reader what the feature is• Article – information about the artist/band or an interview with them.• Pictures of the artist – multi modal keeps the reader interested and gives them something to look at.• Pull quotes – stands out – if the reader is just flicking through the magazine a pull quote might catch their eye and

make them want to read the article.• Background – eye catching, makes the article unique • Page number – easy to flick to from contents page

The codes and conventions of a magazine allow the reader to recognise the professionalism of the magazine. They are features that are always used in magazine creating to ensure that the reader is satisfied with their purchase.

Audience

• To create a personal identity. The artists involved may be considered idols and role models to the reader which they aspire to be like.

• The information included is reliable and trustworthy, they wouldn’t print something fake and dishonest as it would make it an unreliable source.

• They enjoy reading about artists personal lives, upcoming tours, albums and singles. • It is a cheap way to relax and read about something that the reader is interested in. • Competitions and freebees allow the readers to feel that they are getting more for their money. It also

saves them spending lots of money on concerts and products if they are included in the permanent price of the magazine. It also gives the reader a sense of satisfaction.

• They can feel like they have a relationship with the magazine because it is aimed specifically towards them to entertain them and keep their readership.

• The reviews will help them to make a judgement on artists’ tours, albums and songs. • It is a fun pass time and can be a popular item to read on holiday or while travelling to keep the reader

entertained and give them something to do. • Depending on the type of music magazine, the reader can find out about the real music industry and

the production of the music, or they can find out about the artists’ love lives and other personal information.

• Why do audiences read magazines? What do we expect from a music magazine?

Audience• Pleasures & Benefits

• The reader can create their own personal identity by reading about the artists that they consider idols and that they look up to.

• The reader can make personal relationships with other people who read the magazine and who are interested in the same artists favoured by the reader and included in the magazine.

• Competitions and freebees give the reader a sense of satisfaction as they are included in the price of the magazine and are not charged extra.

• It enables them to create a relationship with the magazine and feel like they are part of something bigger.

• It is a relaxing pass time

• Some people prefer the idea of having the magazine to hold.• Print magazines make it easier to flick through the pages until something

catches the reader’s eye.• The magazine could be valuable and worth something in the future.• It gives people something to do while travelling (signal on a smartphone can

cut out or be prohibited e.g. underground on a train or flying on a plane)• Good quality of images that the reader can cut out and stick on their walls• Ability to collect all the issues• Easy to show friends (create personal relationships)

• Why do people still read music magazines in light of access to the internet?

Representation• Indie/alternative

• The indie genre of music is presented through the way the different artists and bands portray themselves and their music. Each artists music is different to the others and has a unique twist to it. Usually, the main singer will have a very distinctive and exclusive sound to their voice, and the instruments used will compliment it nicely. Their style is labelled as ‘Hipster’ as they wear clothes which they think will express themselves and their music in the most effective way. The term ‘Indie’ comes from the phrase ‘independent music’ which is strongly associated with guitars, rebellion and meaningful lyrics. The artist/band likes to create their own music with their own instruments.

• The stereotypical ‘indie’ fan would be a teenage boy wearing tight skinny jeans, riding a skateboard with headphones in.

• Most Indie bands are home grown, having started off practising in garages and bedrooms, eventually performing at various gigs. They are often regarded as ‘outsiders’ who use music to break out of the mould and obtain a voice.

• It is aimed towards males and females to display the different kinds of people they can reach out to using their music.

Representation

Artists Albums

Deaf Havana Old Souls

Twin Atlantic Free

Mumford & Sons The Road To Red Rocks

Bastille Bad Blood

Fall Out Boy Save Rock & Roll

The 1975 IV

Lower Than Atlantis Changing Tune

Institution• How do magazine publishers make money?• Advert Revenue – companies pay the magazine to feature adverts that the target

audience would be interested in. • Readership – people buying the magazine and subscribing to the magazine• Competitions – people calling in to enter the competition

• How are they attempting to retain audiences?• Bright colours and good images to attract the reader• Offering good value competitions• Keeping to a house colour scheme to make it recognisable• Including social networking to relate to the modern day technology benefits• Regular features• Product placement in Tv Programmes, Films etc• Popular artists included

• What business models are used to ensure a sustained audience?Aspects such as music channels, radio stations and a stage named after the magazine at a festival help

to ensure a sustained audience by promoting the magazine and the type of genre and the collection of artists that are featured in that magazine. If the magazine is well liked, then it is likely that all these business models are likely to be successful as the magazine has a good reputation.